Onsite Audiometric Testing & Workplace Noise Assessments Across Australia

Workplace hearing loss is permanent, costly and entirely preventable. With noise related injuries making up a significant share of workers’ compensation claims in Australia, forward thinking businesses are turning to structured audiometric testing and noise assessments to stay compliant and protect their people.

Anitech is a national provider of onsite audiometric testing and occupational noise assessments, delivering AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 compliant screening and clear, practical guidance across Australia. With more than 22 years of experience and over 200 businesses supported nationally, Anitech helps organisations of all sizes meet their WHS/OHS obligations, reduce risk and build safer, more productive workplaces.

Why Workplace Hearing Safety Deserves Priority

Noise induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases. It develops gradually, often going unnoticed until the damage is significant and irreversible.

Australian safety regulator statistics highlight how serious the issue is:

• Approximately 30% of workers’ compensation claims are related to hearing loss.
• The average direct cost per hearing loss claim is around $7,000, not including indirect costs such as lost productivity, retraining and replacement staff.

Beyond the financial impact, unmanaged workplace noise can lead to:

• Reduced concentration and productivity.
• Increased risk of incidents and near misses.
• Long term health impacts and reduced quality of life for affected workers.

Regular audiometric testing and workplace noise surveys give you the data you need to control these risks, meet legal duties and demonstrate genuine care for employee wellbeing.

Your Legal Duties Under WHS/OHS Noise Regulations

Across Australia, WHS/OHS laws require employers to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and others are not exposed to health and safety risks from noise. That duty normally includes:

• Identifying and assessing hazardous noise in the workplace.
• Implementing controls to reduce noise exposure, wherever practicable.
• Providing suitable hearing protection where noise cannot be adequately reduced.
• Monitoring employee hearing with audiometric testing where hearing protection is issued.

Where employees are required to wear hearing protection because of hazardous noise, regulations in many jurisdictions specify that audiometric testing must occur at least every two years, and more frequently where exposure levels are particularly high.

A compliant program normally includes baseline and periodic tests, follow up for any changes, employee training, and robust recordkeeping. Anitech’s services are designed to align with these expectations and simplify compliance for businesses.

How Anitech Supports Compliance From End to End

Anitech’s audiometric and noise services are built to be practical, mobile and compliance focused. The goal is simple: make it easy for you to protect hearing while keeping your operations running smoothly.

Mobile onsite audiometric testing across Australia

Anitech conducts audiometric screening onsite at your workplace using dedicated mobile testing units. This approach delivers several advantages:

• Minimal downtime– staff simply step into the mobile unit nearby instead of travelling offsite.
• Consistent testing environment– mobile units provide a controlled acoustic space for reliable results.
• Scalable for single or multi site businesses– Anitech services major cities and regions across Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

All screening is conducted to AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 using modern computer based audiometric software.

Qualified consultants with occupational hygiene expertise

Testing is carried out by qualified consultants who are backed by a team of Principal Occupational Hygiene consultants. This combination means you receive more than test results – you get expert interpretation and practical strategies for reducing risk and improving controls.

Same day Datagram reporting

Anitech uses Datagram, a specialised audiometric results program, to generate clear, detailed reports. Key benefits include:

• Same day reports for timely decision making.
• Individual reports for each employee, outlining their current hearing status.
• Summary reports for management, showing overall trends and areas of concern.
• Comparison with previous test results to highlight any significant changes over time.

Education, PPE supply and free site PPE audits

Effective hearing conservation goes beyond testing alone. Anitech offers complementary services to strengthen your overall noise management program:

• Employee education on noise hazards, correct use of hearing protection and practical ways to protect hearing in and out of work.
• PPE supply through partnerships with leading manufacturers and suppliers of hearing protection and related equipment.
• Free site PPE audits for customers, helping you validate that the right protection is being used and is fit for purpose.

Inside an AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 Compliant Audiometric Program

A strong audiometric testing program follows a structured cycle designed to catch early signs of hearing loss, prompt timely intervention and maintain compliance with WHS/OHS regulations.

Core components typically include:

• Baseline testing– initial audiometric tests when an employee starts work in a noisy role or is first required to wear hearing protection. These results form the reference point for all future comparisons.
• Periodic testing– regular screening, at least every two years where hearing protection is required, and more frequently for higher risk environments.
• Follow up procedures– further tests, referrals and reviews where shifts in hearing are identified.
• Hearing conservation training– education for employees on noise risks, early warning signs and correct PPE use.
• Recordkeeping– secure, well organised records of audiometric results, enabling trend analysis and proof of compliance.

Anitech’s Datagram based reporting supports this cycle by making it easy to compare current and historical test data, identify patterns and document actions taken.

What Happens During Onsite Audiometric Testing

Employees are often more willing to participate in hearing tests when the process is quick, comfortable and clearly explained. Anitech’s onsite approach is designed with this in mind.

A typical onsite audiometric testing session includes:

1. Pre test briefing– the consultant explains the purpose of the test, how it works and what employees can expect.
2. Screening in the mobile unit– the employee enters the mobile testing unit, where background noise is controlled for accurate readings.
3. Headset and instructions– the employee wears calibrated headphones and uses a handheld device or button to respond to tones at different frequencies and volumes.
4. Data capture– computer based software records responses, generating a hearing profile for each ear.
5. Immediate checks– the consultant reviews results for any obvious concerns or test artefacts and may repeat parts of the test if needed.

Because everything happens onsite, disruption is kept to a minimum and participation rates are usually higher than when staff must travel to external clinics.

Workplace Noise Surveys: From Measurements to Action

Audiometric testing tells you what is happening to employee hearing; workplace noise assessments explain why. Anitech’s occupational noise assessments (also called noise surveys or workplace noise testing) measure sound levels across your operations and translate them into clear, actionable insights.

During a workplace noise assessment, a qualified assessor will typically:

• Visit your site and observe work activities, equipment and layouts.
• Measure noise from machinery, tools and the surrounding environment, using equipment specified in relevant Australian Standards for occupational noise management.
• Assess employee exposure in different tasks, locations and shifts.

As an Anitech Noise Assessment client, you receive more than just numbers. Deliverables often include:

• A clear noise assessment report summarising measurements, methods and key findings.
• Colour coded noise maps that visually highlight higher and lower noise areas across your workplace.
• A practical compliance action plan outlining recommended controls, priorities and timeframes.
• A full debrief on your noise survey results, supporting informed decision making by management and HSE teams.

These insights help you decide where engineering controls, administrative changes or additional PPE are required, and where current controls are already performing well.

Key Services at a Glance

The table below summarises how Anitech’s core services support your business outcomes.

The Business Case: Reduce Risk, Claims and Costs

Investing in audiometric testing and noise assessments delivers measurable business value. When you understand and control noise risks, you can:

• Lower workers’ compensation exposure by preventing avoidable hearing loss claims, which are common and costly.
• Demonstrate compliance to regulators, insurers, clients and workers.
• Improve productivity by reducing fatigue, communication difficulties and distraction associated with excessive noise.
• Strengthen safety culture by showing visible commitment to employee health.
• Support workforce retention by protecting long term wellbeing and comfort at work.

The cost of a structured noise and audiometry program is typically modest compared to the direct and indirect costs of a single hearing loss claim, let alone multiple claims over time.

Preparing for Emerging Requirements, Including Queensland 2025 Changes

Regulatory expectations around audiometric testing continue to evolve. For example, from 29 July 2025, businesses in Queensland will be subject to new requirements for audiometric testing for certain workers required to wear hearing protection.

Working with a provider that closely follows these developments helps you stay ahead of changes rather than reacting at the last minute. Anitech’s consultants monitor regulatory updates and can support you to:

• Review current programs against upcoming requirements.
• Plan for additional testing or expanded coverage where needed.
• Update policies, procedures and training materials accordingly.

This proactive approach reduces the risk of non compliance and spreads any additional workload over a manageable timeframe.

How Often Should You Test and Reassess?

A common question from employers is how frequently audiometric testing and workplace noise assessments should be performed. While exact requirements depend on your jurisdiction and risk profile, the following principles are widely applicable.

Audiometric testing frequency

• Where employees are required to wear hearing protection due to hazardous noise, audiometric testing should occur at least every two years.
• Shorter intervals may be appropriate where exposures are very high, where there is evidence of hearing shifts, or for particularly sensitive groups.
• Testing should also occur when an employee first starts in a noisy role, to establish a reliable baseline.

Noise assessment frequency

• A comprehensive noise survey should be completed when you first identify or suspect hazardous noise in the workplace.
• Reassessments are recommended when there are significant changes such as new machinery, process changes, building modifications or layout changes that may affect noise levels.
• Periodic reviews help confirm that noise controls and PPE remain effective over time.

Anitech can help you design a testing and assessment schedule tailored to your operations, ensuring that you meet regulatory expectations without over testing.

Building a Complete Hearing Conservation Strategy

The most successful organisations treat audiometric testing and noise surveys as part of a broader hearing conservation strategy. A comprehensive approach typically includes:

• Assessment– identify high noise areas through workplace noise assessments.
• Control– implement engineering and administrative controls to reduce noise exposure.
• Protection– provide appropriate hearing protection, ensuring correct selection, fit and maintenance.
• Monitoring– run a structured audiometric testing program to track employee hearing over time.
• Education– regularly reinforce safe behaviours and the importance of hearing protection.
• Review– periodically evaluate the effectiveness of your program, updating policies and procedures as necessary.

Because Anitech offers services across each of these elements – from assessments and testing through to PPE support and policy development – you can build a cohesive, end to end program with a single, experienced provider.

Is Your Workplace Due for Audiometric Testing or a Noise Survey?

If any of the following sound familiar, your organisation is likely ready to click here to engage or refresh audiometric and noise services:

• Your employees are required to wear hearing protection, but audiometric testing is overdue or has never been conducted.
• Your last workplace noise assessment is several years old, and equipment or processes have changed since then.
• You are revising WHS/OHS policies and want to strengthen your hearing conservation program.
• You are concerned about potential workers’ compensation exposure related to hearing loss.
• You operate in multiple states or territories and need consistent, national support.

With mobile, AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 compliant audiometric testing, detailed noise surveys, same day reporting and qualified occupational hygiene support, Anitech is well placed to help you protect your workforce and meet your legal obligations while maintaining smooth operations.

By acting now, you not only safeguard your employees’ hearing but also position your business as a responsible, forward looking employer that understands the value of a safe and healthy workplace.